E 

.Gfe3 




ooooooooooooooooo 



Qeneral Qrant 



-cr^AT'Ci' 



MOUNT MacGREGOR. 



As from the tiny acorn, . 

Coaxed by sun and rain, 

The giant oak comes 'forth, 

So men come to greatness. 

Circumstances, opportunity , swiftly 7ncviirg events — 

All these as the ivarming rays of sun 

And the falling rain. 

The germ of all- 

Is in the »i(ijt himself. 




\ .^ -BY- 

O. p. CLARKE, 

CUSTODIAN OF THE GRANT COTTAGE. 
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 



General Grant 



AT- 



Mount riacGregor 




BY- 



O. p. CLARKE, 

it 

Custodian of the Grant Cottage. 



1895. 

90ZZENS & WATERBURY, 
SARATOGA N. Y. 









' Ob 



r 



To the thousands who, with loving hearts, watched with tender 
anxiety for the daily messages that came from the couch of our dy- 
ing chieftain, this book is affectionately dedicated. 



Preface. 

In the following pages it has been my aim to present, as faithfully 
as the material at my disposal made it possible, a brief sketch of 
General Grant's daily life here. That the task has been butimper- 
fectly performed I am aware; and this, I mav add, and I think, 
too, without egotism, not wholly from lack of ability better to per- 
form it. As one, painting from a copy made by other hands and 
amid the scenes it portrays, must fail to catch something of na- 
ture's touch, so one writing of events seen only through the eyes 
of another ; something must be lacking. If the reader catch a 
glimpse only of one meeting death calmly, fearlessly, his hands 
busy to the last with the task he has set himself to do, and so 
gather fresh hope and courage to himself, my labor will not have 
been wholly in vain. 

O. P. CLARKE. 
Mount MacGregor, 

March 21, 1895. 



Mount MacGregor. 

This mountain is one of the peaks of the Palmertown range of 
the Laurentian Adirondacks. It is eight and one-half miles almost 
directly north from Saratoga Springs, and is located in the towns of 
Corinth, Moreau and Wilton in Saratoga Count\\ It is 1,300 feet 
above tide-water, 1,100 feet above Saratoga Springs. The name it 
bears was conferred many years ago in honor of its then owner, 
Duncan MacGregor ; this was on the occasion of a large gathering 
here of Mr. MacGregor's neighbors and friends. The railroad now 
connecting it with Saratoga Springs was begun in March, 18S2, and 
completed the Ju\y following. This road, by reason of the circuit- 
ous route it necessarily takes to reach the summit of the mountain, 
is nearly eleven miles long. The mountain is now owned by the 
Mount MacGregor Railroad Company. 



GENERAL GRANT 



The Grant Cottage. 

As Mount MacGregor gradually became a place of resort for 
social gatherings of the people of the surrounding towns and vil- 
lages, Mr. MacGregor conceived the idea of erecting here a house 
of entertainment. What is now known as the Grant Cottage, and 
by some as the Drexel Cottage, was the outcome. Many, in days 
past, were entertained beneath its hospitable roof. It formerly 
stood where the Hotel Balmoral now stands. When the erection of 
that structure was begun it was moved to its present location; this 
was in the fall of 1883. During the building of the hotel it was 
used as a boarding house. 

Ifi the early summer of 1SS5 Mr. Joseph W. Drexel, of New York, 
purchased this cottage, thinking to occupy it during a portion of the 
summer months himself; but learning that Dr. Douglass, General 
Grant's physician, was looking for some place " in the hills about 
S^iratoga' Springs," in which his distinguished patient might spend 
the heated days of the coming summer, and so escape the hu- 
mid atmosphere of the coast, he placed the cottage at the Gener- 
al's disposal. This generous offer was accepted; and immediately 
preparations were begun for General Grant's reception. To fit the 
cottage for its expected guest it was necessary to repaint, paper, 
and furnish it throughout; not only the rooms now open to the pub- 
lic, but six sleeping rooms on the second floor. The fire-place in 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 9 

the reception room was also then constructed. All this was speed- 
ily accomplished; and when General Grant and his family arrived 
on the afternoon of June i6th they found everything in readiness. 
The rooms open to the public remain to-day substantially as they 
were then, and at the date of the General's death, five weeks later. 

In July 18S7 Mr. Drexel offered the cottage and its contents to 
the Grand Army of the Republic* This offer, after some delay, 
caused partially by Mr. Drexel's death, was accepted. An associ- 
ation, known as the Mount MacGregor Memorial Association, 
was incorporated by the Legislature of this state, and to this 
body the title was transferred by Mr. Drexel's executors on the 
igth day of February, 1889. The Trustees of this association are 
the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army, the Commander of 
the Department of New York, the Adjutant General of the state, 
the President of the Mount MacGregor Railway Company and Mr. 
W. J. Arkell. 

In the fall of 1889, ata meeting of these trustees, held in New York, 
and at which General A. R. Alger, then Commander-in-Chief of 

*The following is Mr. Drexel's letter: 

Saratoga, N. Y., July 22, 1887. 
GEN. LUCIUS FAIRCHILD, 

Commander in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

Dear Sir: 

As the General Government has failed to accept my offer to it, in 
perpetuity of the cottage on Mt. MacGregor, in which the saviour 
of our nation. Gen. U. S. Grant, spent his last days, and which re- 
mains precisely in the same condition as when he there yielded up 
his last breath, I now beg to offer it to the survivors of those gal- 
lant men who saved the country founded by Washington and his 
soldiers. 

The conditions I would suggest, are that the cottage and its sur- 
rounding grounds, be held in trust by the Commander-in-Chief of 



GENERAL GRANT 



the Grand Army, presided, a custodian of the cottage was appoint- 
ed and the transfer completed. The cottage is now under the care 
of the Grand Army of the Republic; the expense of its maintenance 
at present being borne by the Department of New York. 



the Grand Army of the Republic, the president of the Mount Mac- 
Gregor Railway Company, and one person to be nominated by 
myself or my successors. 

With great respect, dear sir, I am yours very truly, 
JOS. W. DREXEL." 
Referring to this offer General Fairchild, in his report to the En- 
campment says: 

"This proposition is made in good faith with the intent to honor 
the Union Veterans by placing partially in their charge that sac- 
red cottage. I reccommend that it be referred to the incoming 
Commander-in-Chief and the Council of Administration with au- 
thority to accept the same if the details of trusteeship and manage- 
ment can be arranged to their entire satisfaction." 

This recommendation was endorsed by the Encampment. 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 



General Grant's Illness. 

It is difficult to fix the exact date at which the illness from which 
General Grant finally died had its beginning. Mrs. Grant related 
to me this incident: In the early summer of 18S4, I think in the 
month of June, while they were all at dinner one day General 
Grant took a peach and began to eat it; suddenly he rose from the 
table and began pacing the floor, complaining that the peach had 
hurt his throat. He seemed to be suffering acutely. The family 
were then at Long Branch. Subsequently to this Dr. de Costa, 
who had stepped in for a friendly call, made an examination of the 
General's throat, which resulted in his advising that some eminent 
physician be consulted at once. Dr. Fordyce Baker was first seen; 
and upon his advice. Dr. J. H. Douglass, of New York, was con- 
sulted. Whether Dr. Douglass then knew the fatal truth, and 
whether he communicated it to his patient, I do not think is known. 
General Grant reported to his family the general phrase, doubtless 
used by his physician, " a complaint with a cancerous tendency." 
The date of this first examination by Dr. Douglass was October 22, 
1SS4. 

Subsequently to this General Grant had begun work on his Mem- 
oirs; but the pain, which at times was excruciating, and the anxiety 
and disappointment seemed for a time to unfit him for the task. 
This was especially true as the cold, damp November weather came 



12 GENERAL GRANT 

on. The book was put aside. He had no present relish for the 
work. Why should he write? What had the future for him? Only 
pain to-day, to-morrow — death. 

But this passed after a time, and work was resumed. General 
Badeau, who was with him at the time, relates how the General 
enjoyed having his pages read aloud to his family and listening to 
their comments. So the remaining days of autumn passed and 
winter set in. 

Some time in January there was a consultation of physicians, 
Drs. Sands, Markoe and others participating. A piece of the dis- 
eased tissue was also submitted to Dr. G. R. Elliott for microscopic 
examination. " Malignant cancer" was the verdict. It does not 
appear that this was immediately communicated to General Grant 
or his family ; but the knowledge came later, and it came with well 
nigh crushing force. A few days, a few weeks, a few months 
longer, pain running through them all ; and then, the end. It 
must be a strong heart, indeed, that could face all this and not 
quail. 

Speaking of this period of General Grant's illness. General Ba- 
deau, in an admirable article under the title of "The Last Days of 
General Grant," published in the October, 1885, Century, says : 

" Yet it seemed to me after the first shock that General Grant 
still had not given up. His unconquerable nature rebounded. He 
looked at the physicians with an anxiety that could not have been 
so acute unless the possibility of hope had been mingled. He sub- 
mitted to every operation, he carefully attended to every injunc- 
tion, and sustained the long seige of disease with the same deter- 
mination and tenacity he had displayed in other seiges and 
campaigns with other enemies But now he was on the defensive, 
— it was the first time. 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR I3 

As the winter days passed it was evident the disease was mak- 
ing progress; this was shown by the General's appearance and his 
increasing weakness. He had ceased longer to take his meals 
with the family. His days were spent in his room. At one time 
it was thought he was dying and the family were summoned and 
farewells said; but the end was not yet. A hemorrhage occurred 
subsequently to this and again the family were called about him. 
This hemorrhage, however, instead of terminating fatally, as it was 
supposed it certainly would, resulted beneficially. The pain be- 
came less severe and the progress of the disease for the time 
seemed to be arrested. The General's strength returned. By the 
27th of April, his sixty-second birth-day, he was able to rejoin his 
family at dinner. Many now living recall the thrill of joy that 
possessed the nation's heart when it was announced that the Gen- 
eral was again able to be out. This was in May. In June the 
transfer was made to Mount MacGregor. Touching the pur- 
pose of this transfer and how it came about I shall let Dr. Doug- 
lass speak: 

"I had intended," he said, " to have General Grant taken to a place 
where the air was clear and pure and dry. The family spoke of 
moving him to his cottage at Long Branch, but I said that I did not 
think that the humid atmosphere about the sea-coast would be well 
for him, One day I made the remark that, if I could find a place 
somewhere around Saratoga, where he would be comfortable, that 
above all others would be my choice for a summer home for Gen- 
eral Grant. I go to Saratoga every season, drink its waters, and 
enjoy the pure, dry air. They say that Saratoga is a hot place, but 
it is not so. Of course, when we have a very warm spell it may be 
warm in Saratoga, but the air there is always dry, and it is cooled 
by the balsamic breezes from the Adirondacks. 



14 GENERAL GRANT 

" One day, when I called on the General, Colonel Grant said that 
he had an invitation to a place near Saratoga, on some railroad. I 
could not imagine where the place was. I thought it must be 
either on the Rensselaer and Saratoga road, or on the Adirondack 
road, and I said I didn't believe that that was the . place for him. 
On the same evening, when I called at the house, they told me that 
it was Mt. MacGregor and described it to me. Of course, I knew 
where Mt. MacGregor was, and said at once: ' That is just the 
place I have been looking for. There is little heat there; it is on 
the heights, it is free from vapors, and above all, it is among the 
pines, and the pure air is especially grateful to patients suffering 
as General Grant is suffering.' So it happened that just what we 
wanted we had."* 



*From an interview published in the Albany Journal June i6, 

i88s. 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR I5 



At Mount MacQregor. 

It was an eager, expectant throng that gathered about the Mount 
MacGregor depot at Saratoga Springs on the afternoon of June 
i6th, 1885. Two days p*'eviously it had been announced th rough 
the New York press dispatches that General Grant would probably 
be removed to Mount MacGregor on the Tuesday following, a week 
earlier than was at first intended. "The swelling on the side of 
the General's throat," so this dispatch read, "has increased so as 
to affect his voice. He passed an unquiet night on Saturday, and 
his condition is one of increasing debility without pain." 

On the morning of the i6th, among other notices that appeared 
in the village papers the following possesses peculiar interest : 

"Headquarters Luther M. Wheeler Post 92, 

Department of New York, G. A. R. 

Comrades : It is expected that General Grant will arrive here 

on his way to Mount MacGregor early this afternoon. You are 

hereby ordered to assemble at the Post room at one o'clock in full 

uniform. Bear in mind, Comrades, that this may be our last 

opportunity of seeing our old Commander. 

By command of 

R. F. KNAPP, 

Post Commander. 
Attest ; Geo. T. Downing, 

Post Adiutant." 



l6 GENERAL GRAMT 

Early in the afternoon the people began to assemble; by the 
time the Delaware & Hudson train arrived and slowly drew up be- 
side the car that was to bear the General to the mountain, a crowd 
numbering several thousands had gathered. There were no loud 
huzzas or noisy demonstrations, only the silent waving of fare- 
wells as the Mount MacGregor train pulled slowly out. It seem- 
ed as though, as another had expressed it, "the people realized 
that this was a last good bye." 

The fact that General Grant was soon to visit Mount MacGregor 
was early known to the denizens of that quiet retreat. When the 
day of his expected arrival came one could note an air of eager, 
suppressed excitement among the people whose homes, for busi- 
ness or pleasure, were there. "Will he come?" "At what time?" 
These questions were on the lips of all. 

About the Drexel cottage all was hurry and confusion. Packing 
boxes, bundles and packages that had arrived at a late hour the 
day before were being hastily unpacked and their contents properly 
arranged. Men and women were hurrying to and fro. Up stairs 
and down was heard the coming and going of hurrying feet. But 
everything was at last arranged; then the noise of preparation 
ceased; quite settled down over all; the Drexel cottage was ready 
for its expected guest. 

And none too soon. For even in the midst of the hurry and con- 
fusion the telegraph had announced: " General Grant has just left 
Saratoga on his way up the mountain." Then, after a time, the 
engine was heard puffing up the steep incline. At 2:39 ^^he train ar- 
rived. 

Preparations had been made to carry General Grant from the 
train to the cottage; but they turned out to be unnecessary. As 
though to assert his mastery, even over disease itself, the General 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 1 7 

Stepped from his car with something of his old-time firmness of 
tread, and be^an to walk toward the cottage; but his weakened 
frame responded but temporarily to the strong will within At the 
foot of the board walk leading from the hotel to the depot, some one 
hundred and fifty feet from the home awaiting his coming, he was 
glad to avail himself of the loving aid of those about him. Seating 
himself in a chair, and after a brief rest, he was carried by James 
Minick, a veteran of Wheeler Post, and John M. Fryer, now police 
justice of Saratoga Springs, to the foot of the broad steps leading 
up to the cottage. Here the chair was lowered and the General 
walked, with the aid of a cane only, up the steps and into the cot- 
tage. 

Accompanying General Grant were the following members of his 
family: IVIrs. U. S. Grant, Colonel F. D. Grant and wife and their 
children, Julia and U. S, Grant, Jr., Mrs. Nellie Sartoris, Jessie 
Grant and wife; there were also Dr. Douglass and Mr. Dawson, 
General Grant's stenographer. Besides these there were Harrison, 
his servant, and Henry McQueeny, the nurse. 

Most of the time during the remainder of the afternoon of the 
i6th was passed by General Grant on the cottage veranda ; again 
in the evening he was there, resting quietly in a reclining chair. 
At 7:30 he retired for the night. Dr. Douglass reported later that 
his patient "was doing as well as could be expected, and that he 
seemed to have gained some strength." 

Wednesday, June 17th. — General Grant's first night on the moun- 
tain was passed comfortably, and in the morning he was feeling 
somewhat refreshed. During the previous afternoon and evening 
his throat had been dressed three times. This operation was pain- 
ful, but it was necessary. 

During the day the General spent most of his time on the cot- 



l8 GENERAL GRANT 

tage veranda. Late in the afternoon a special train arrived, bring- 
ing the Justices of the Court of Appeals and their families, who 
had come to pay their respects to the suffering General. U. S. 
Grant, Jr., General Grant's youngest son, arrived in the evening. 
At twelve-thirty everything was quiet about the cottage. 

Thursday, June i8th. — It was near twelve o'clock to-day when 
General Grant first came from the cottage. The night had been 
one of a good deal of discomfort. At one-thirty it had been found 
necessary to treat his throat with cocaine, and again at four. The 
stimulating excitement of his trip from New York was beginning 
to wear off; a slight reaction apparently was setting in. 

On the previous day Dr. Douglass had telegraphed Dr. Sands of 
New York to come to the mountain. He arrived at three-thirtv, 
and very soon after the two physicians made an examination of 
General Grant's throat. Dr. Sands' report was reassuring ; the 
General's condition was better than when he had last examined his 
throat in New York. The two physicians concitrred in the opinion, 
however, that their patient had taken too much exercise. 

During the day Dr. Newman, General Grant's pastor, arrived ; 
he had come up for a few hour's visit with his old parishioner 
and friend. 

Among the other pleasing incidents of the day was the receipt by 
General Grant of a message of sympathy from the New York Press 
Association, then in session at Niagara Falls. It ran as follows : 
"The New York Press Association, now in session at Niagara 
Falls, extend to General Grant their heart-felt appreciation of his 
great services to the nation. In this his hour of great suffering 
our hearts go out in sympathy to him and his family May the 
Gqd of all grace vouchsafe strength to endure, and a happy deliv- 
erance from all his afflictions." 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR IQ 

In the afternoon the New York State Pharmaceutical Associa- 
tion visited the mountain. As they filed past the cottage every 
head was uncovered. This silent, respectful salute was appreciated 
by the one to whom it was offered, and as silently acknowledged. 
As these pfeople were passing, two young girls went up the steps 
of the cottage to where the General was seated and presented him 
with two beautiful boquets of flowers. 

I might say just here, and so economize the reader's time, that 
incidents like those just mentioned — the receipt of sympathetic 
telegrams — the visits of silently respectful delegations — the pre- 
sentation of flowers, were almost of daily occurrence during the 
days of General Grant's sojourn on the mountain. I shall refrain 
from mentioning them in future unless something of unusual 
interest attend them. 

During the evening of this day Gennral Grant wrote this on the 
pad he constantly used, the trouble in his throat making oral con- 
versation both difficult and painful; "I am exceedingly pleased 
with this delightful mountain air. The Doctors tell me I am better, 
but I do not think so." 

Friday, June ig. — A typical June day. "General Grant has 
passed a very comfortable night;" so the report came to those 
anxiously waiting for the first news from the sick room. And this 
was indicated still more fully by the General's appearance when 
he first came out upon the veranda; his step was firmer and his 
face had a more healthful appearance than on the previous day. 
Dr. Douglass expressed the opinion that there was a decided change 
for the better. The swelling on his throat had considerably sub- 
sided. 

Not far from eleven o'clock General Grant retired to his room 
for a little sleep. Not long after midday he reappeared and re- 



20 GENERAL GRANT 

mained during the greater part of the afternoon in the 
open air. Many people, old and intimate friends, called 
to see him. To one he said, or rather wrote, after motioning 
him to a chair: "Come and sit down and let us have a good old- 
fashioned talk; but you must do all the talking." 

To Judge Hilton he wrote: "I find the air very fine here. This 
must become a great sanitarium before many years" 

And then again after he had shown the Judge through the cot- 
tage: 'T have not been able to sleep in a bed for several months. 
The chairs you saw in the back room have served me instead. I 
have found nothing belter." 

To Doctor Gray, the somewhat portly superintendent of the Utica 
Insane Asylum, he wrote: "Dr. Gray; Your shadow has grown no 
less since I saw you in Utica, mine has reduced materially." 

Shortly after nine o'clock General Grant retired for the night, 
Dr. Douglass remaining at the cottage to be near at hand in case 
his services were required. 

Saturday, June 2oth. — It must have been with pleasure that Gen- 
eral Grant noted the first soft light of the coming day, for the night 
had been one of discomfort. The strain of long continued suffer- 
ing and anxiety had told upon the iron nerves of the strong man, 
diminishing that power of calm endurance so admirably displayed 
in theearlier stages of his illness. "A restless night." Few there are 
who do not know something of the meaning of the doctor's words. 

It was past noon when General Grant left his own room and went 
out upon the veranda. I have a picture that, though taken later, 
represents him as the newspapers describe him at tnis time. He is 
seated in his favorite chair, a pillow comfortably tucked in at his 
back, his cane lying handily by, members of his family sitting 
near, and the faithful Harrison close at hand, ready at a look or 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 21 

a sign to give the aid required. If one could eliminate from this 
picture the thought of illness, and of death near at hand, there 
would be only the feeling of gladness; of gladness because it would 
represent one in the quiet of the afternoon, the work of the day all 
done and well done, waiting the oncoming hush of the evening. 
But alas! 

Sunday, June 21. — " General Grant has had nine hours sleep and 
feels better than he has for a number of days;" this the morning 
bulletin. It had indeed been the best night's rest the suffering 
General had enjoyed since coming to the mountain. His sleep had 
not been uninterrupted, however, for there had been several spells 
of coughing; caused, no doubt, by the annoying secretions that Dr. 
Douglass discovered and removed when he examined his patient's 
throat at seven o'clock. The signs were all encouraging; and 
the General's refreshed appearance imparted a tone of cheerfulness 
to all about him. 

A heavy wind prevailed during the day and there was some 
rain; but notwithstanding these General Grant remained nearly 
the entire afternoon in the open air. Seated in a sheltered corner 
he wrote several sheets of manuscript, which, it was understood, 
he desired inserted in the proofs of his forthcoming book. Toward 
sunset the wind died away and the evening was delightful. 

Monday, June 22. — Owing to the storm of yesterday the weather 
on the mountain to-day was so cold as to keep the General most of 
the time within doors. At midday the thermometer registered 62 
degrees; in the evening the mercury had dropped to 60 degrees. 
But a blazing fire in the great open fire-place made all within the 
cottage comfortable and warm. During the day General Grant 
spent his time quite largely in going over the revision of his 
Memoirs and in writing. This fact is pleasing, as it indicates 



22 GENERAL GRANT 

returning strength, both intellectual and bodily. One thing excites 
not a little surprise ; the General suffers more during the earlier 
portions of the day than during the afternoon and evening. Not 
far from nine o'clock, after submitting to the usual treatment of 
his throat. General Grant retired to his great easy chairs and every- 
thing indicates a restful night. 

During the day Mr. W. J. Arkell and wife called at the cottage ; 
they were cordially received and enjoyed a long, friendly chat with 
the General and his family. Mr. Arkell is the Vice-President of the 
Mount MacGregor Railroad Company and is practically in control 
of everything here. 

Tuesday, June 23. — Notwithstanding the thermometer indicated 
so low a temperature as 40 degrees, the General's condition to-day 
indicated continued improvement. The night had been one of 
comparative ease and quiet ; and when he came from the chairs 
that formed his only couch the invalid seemed refreshed. During 
the day he remained within doors, passing his time in writing 
and dictating, in a weak, husky voice, to his stenographer. Al- 
though he used his voice but little at this time, the fact that he 
could use it at all gave him pleasure, as it indicated returning 
strength. As evening drew on the family gathered about the fire- 
place in the large reception room. General Grant, in his easy chair, 
being the center of the group. At nine o'clock the General retired, 
expressing the opinion that he was to have another comfortable 
night. 

During the day a box arrived and with it the following letter of 
instruction, written by Mr. F. L. Whitney, Asst. Genl. Passenger 
Agent of the Michigan Central Railroad : 

"To all Trainmen and Conductors on the Michigan Central and 
New York Central Roads : This box is for General Grant, and con- 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 23 

tains food for hi3 use. It is extremely important that the box 
should arrive in good shape at once. Please see that it is for- 
warded immediately, and that it is kept cool." 

The box contained bovinine, a present from a Chicago firm. The 
kind thought prompting this act was fully appreciated by the recip- 
ient. This incident was trivial in itself, perhaps, but it goes to 
show (and I only give it place here because of that) the loving, 
helpful thoughts that were in the hearts of the people. I might 
mention a hundred incidents of similar character. 

The reader has perhaps noticed that no mention has been made 
thus far of the General's daily habits in the matter of eating. Poor 
man ! The pleasures of the table were denied him. He dined 
alone ; not with a tempting array of savory dishes before him, but 
upon the simplest fare. His food was all in liquid form, and was 
prepared by his nurse, and frequently administered. A little stove, 
scarcely large enough to bear the name, stood in the room opening 
from the General's sick-room, and then used for storage purposes ; 
upon this the simple fare of the invalid was prepared. 

Wednesday, June 24. — Another beautiful June day; thermometer 
at 70 ; the air soft and mild. 

General Grant suffered but little during the night ; his rest was 
broken, however, by several attacks of coughing. Shortly after 
dawn his throat was treated by Dr. Douglass. The forenoon was 
well spent ere he made his appearance ; he then seemed in good 
spirits. Though his steps were far from being so elastic as in the 
days before his illness, still they indicated returning strength. 
What remained of the forenoon was spent in work upon his Me- 
moirs ; the proof of which were undergoing revision. Not far 
from twelve o'clock an easy chair was placed for him on the 



24 GENERAL GRANT 

veranda, where he spent some time in perusing the morning 
papers. 

During the day a dispatch was received from the National En- 
campment of the Grand Army in session in Portland, Me. : "sym- 
pathy and a soldier's greeting" were the words it brought. It was 
early evening when General Grant retired to the seclusion of the 
cottage for the night. 

Dr. Shrady of New York, in response to a telegram from Dr. 
Douglass, arrived during the day and the two physicians 
made a careful examination of the General's throat. Speaking of 
this afterwards, Dr. Shrady expressed the opinion that the patient's 
condition showed improvement, his system indicating more tone. 
The cavity at the root of the tongue, he said, had deepened some- 
what since his last record, and the neck swelling had become 
broader. During the evening he and the General had a long, quiet 
conversation, the latter, fearing to tax his voice, using his pencil 
and pad. In the matter of his voice General Grant showed not a 
little solicitude. In reply to an inquiry as to whether he would 
ever regain its use. Dr. Shrady replied that he could not then de- 
cide. At nine o'clock the General was prepared for the night, and 
at ten he was sleeping. 

Thursday, June 25. — The balmy June weather still continues; 
thermometer at 75 and a gentle breeze stirring the foliage of the 
trees. 

When General Grant came from his room, which he did not far 
from twelve o'clock, his appearance indicated a comparatively 
comfortable night and forenoon. Comparatively? Why always 
use that adverb? Alas! the story of those days and nights could 
not otherwise truthfully be told. Comfortable days and comfort- 
able nights were no longer for him. Comparatively— the word ex- 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 2§ 

presses the thought but imperfectly. Pain, restlessness, that 
terrible disease, eating the delicate, tender tissues with appetite 
never appeased, — how weak the word seems when written over 
against all this! 

Most of the afternoon of this warm June day was spent by the 
General in his favorite corner on the veranda. Nothing occurred 
as the soft hours passed to disturb the restful quiet of the day. 
As evening came on, one by one the family retired to the cottage. 
Not far from nine the General sought his own room where he re- 
ceived the usual ministrations of his physicians. 

Dr. Shrady to-day prepared and telegraphed a report to the 
Medical Record. A few extracts from this may not be uninteresting: 

"The progress of the disease from which General Grant is suffer- 
ing, is, barring accidental complications, necessarily slow. Com- 
paring the condition of the patient with what it was a month ago 
the changes which have taken place can be readily appreciated. 
Taking this period of time into consideration it can be said that the 
swelling under the angle of the lower jaw on the right side has in- 
creased and became harder and more deeply fixed. * * * * The 
ulceration on the right side of the base of the tongue has become 
deeper and more irregular, although its superficial area has not 
perceptibly increased. * * * * The voice has been reduced to a 
whisper, due partially to the inflammatory involvement of the 
vocal cords and partially to nervous atony of the latter There is 
some impairment of the general strength and some loss of weight 
although the appetite is unchanged and the usual amount of 
nourishment taken. The removal to Mount MacGregor has so far 
proved beneficial. * * * " 

Friday, June 26. — The weather still continues delightful. A cool- 
ing breeze sweeps softly through the woods that crown the moun- 



26 GENERAL GRANT 

tain top. Thermometer at 78". Another comparatively comfort- 
able night was the welcome report that came early this morning 
from the sick room. 

General Grant left the cottage to day for the first time since his 
arrival. A Bath, or invalid's chair arrived yesterday and in this he 
was wheeled by the faithful Harrison to the brow of the hill over- 
looking the valley. It was the General's first view of the magnifi- 
cent scene here presented and he seemed to enjoy it keenly. After 
remaining for sometime in his chair on the lawn in front of the 
hotel, enjoying the view, he sat for a few moments on the hotel ve 
randa where he was the centre of a group of personal friends and 
admirers. But fearing to overtax his strength he remained but a 
short time. Later in the afternoon, in reply to a question of Dr. 
Douglass while treating his throat, the General said it had been de- 
cidedly his best day since coming to the mountain. Not far from 
nine o'clock the patient retired for the night. But sleep did not 
come. One notices as he follows the daily course of General Grant's 
life during these last days how any unusual occurrence during the 
day is followed by wakefulness at night; sure indication of declin- 
ing strength. 

I have but a glimpse of those wakeful night hours. Henry 
McQueeny, the nurse, related to me, during a visit he made here 
two years ago, the manner of their going "The General had a 
board," he said, "fitted to rest on the arms of the chair, and when 
he was wakeful he passed the time in writing ; using this board as 
a desk or table. In the morning his notes were given to Mr. 
Dawson, the stenograi^her, and by him transcribed. Many and 
many an hour I have held this lamp so" — taking the lamp that 
that still stands on the stand beside the General's chair — "for him 
to write by." 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 27 

Saturday, June 27. — A restless night, followed by a morning 
from whose hours the refreshment that should follow sleep and 
rest seems to have departed. Not until the noon hour had passed 
did General Grant go to his favorite corner on the veranda. But 
his stay there was of short duration. Most of the day was spent 
within doors Towards evening, having again expressed a desire 
for the open air, his chair was comfortably prepared and he 
remained on the veranda with his family until the evening was 
well spent. At nine o'clock— it seems monotonous to say it over 
and over again, the same thing, of the closing and of the opening 
hours of the coming and going days. But monotony had come to 
be the rule of the General's daily life. To-day it would be this, 
and to morrow the same, and when the morrow came again ; each 
day like its predecessor until — alas, the ending of it ! 

At nine o'clock, I say. General Grant received the usual attention 
at the hands of Dr. Douglass and soon after retired. Retired ! 
The word has in it something of restfulness. It presents to the 
mind the thought of one comfortably resting after the weariness of 
the day. How little any of us know what it is to be deprived of 
all this ! To sit during the day, and when night comes still to sit, 
and then again on the morrow ; there is suffering in this, though 
no pain rack the frame. 

During the day Mr. J. W. Arkell and family arrived on the 
mountain for the summer. In the evening they sent a handsome 
bouquet of Howers to General Grant Miss Kate Drexel also sent 
flowers 

Sunday, June 28. — A rainy Sunday. Early in the forenoon a 
heavy thunder shower came up and was followed by a dense fog. 
Later in the day a steady rain set in. 

From eleven p. m., of yesterday until five a. m,, to-day. 



28 GENERAL GRANT 

General Grant slept quietly. At the latter hour Dr. Douglass, 
who was sleeping near by, was aroused by the sound of voices 
in the General's room. The strength and tone of these voices sur- 
prised him, believing it must be his patient and McQueeny, the 
nurse. On hastening to the General's room he found his surmise 
to be correct. He was surprised and pleased. The General's voice 
had not been so strong and clear for a long time. An examination 
showed that his throat was in a comparatively good condition. 
General Grant expressing himself as inclined to sleep again quiet 
was restored and he soon fell into a sleep that lasted until nearly 
nine in the morning. Not wishing to be disturbed, he remained 
quietly in his room until after twelve. It was past the middle of 
the afternoon before he ventured out of doors. He remained, how- 
ever, but a short time. During the evening a bright fire blazed in 
the fire place and about this the family gathered. The rain contin- 
ued and it was damp outside. At nine o'clock the General retired. 

IVIonday, June 29.— General Grant remained nearly the entire day 
in his own room. Although Dr. Douglass had been compelled to 
attend him at midnight, and again at five in the morning, he rested 
comparatively well. He was not dressed until the middle of the 
afternoon, and only then to quiet the apprehensions of his f-amily, to 
whom he wrote on his pad: "Do as I do Take things quietly. 
Give yourselves not the least concern. As long as there is no pro- 
gress there is hope." 

The cold wave that followed in the wake of yesterday's . storm 
made a fire in the reception room a necessity during the evening. 
It was fully appreciated and enjoyed by the family. At 8:30 the 
General retired and at 9:30 he was sleeping. 

Tuesday, June 30. — The cold wave still continues to influence the 
temperature on the mountain. Early in the afternoon the thet' 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 2g 

momeler stood at 56 degrees; at 6:30 it had fallen to 52 degrees. 

The general tone of apprehension, one could not but note on the 
faces of all about the General, was not dispelled during the day. 
And it communicated itself to all on the mountain. People had 
seemed for the moment, in the flush of hope inspired by what the 
change of climate had wrought, to forget that the disease, eating 
away there night and day, day and night, could have but one end- 
ing; but the disinclination of the suffering patient to make any ex- 
ertion, slowly but surely, as the days passed, growing more marked, 
was bringing home the fact that the dread malady was making pro- 
gress. He was growing weaker. His favorite nook at the north- 
east corner of the cottage for two days now has been vacant. 

Speaking of the General's growing weakness Dr. Douglass to-day 
said: " His life has been prolonged by the invigorating air here. 
* * "* The disease has progressed in its natural way, but the 
General's condition is one of increased debility. * * * His 
present weakness is the natural result of the disease. * * * He 
grows weaker and weaker and at last the point of exhaustion will 
be reached. * * * This weakness of the patient is now evi- 
denced by lack of ability and desire to walk on the piazza." 

General Grant could not but have noticed the tone of inquietude 
and depression so manifest on the faces and in the manner of all 
about him, and one may believe that the following note, written 
late in the afternoon, was intended to bring a return of assurance 
and hope: " I feel better than I did a week ago." 

Then he wrote the following: " The atmosphere here enables me 
to live in comparative comfort while I am being treated or while 
nature is taking its course with my disease. I have no idea that I 
should have been able to come here now if I had remained in the 
city. It is doubtful, indeed, whether 1 would have been alive, 



30 GENERAL GRANT 

Now I would be much better able to move than I was to come at 
the time I did." 

But there could be no doubt of the General's slowly declining 
strength notwithstanding his cheering words. Slowly but surely 
the end was drawing nigh. 

To-day the use of anasthetics was discontinued for a time to en- 
able the physician to experiment on the General's voice. This 
seemed to cause no special pain. 

Not far from nine General Grant retired for the night. 

Wednesday, July i. — Still cold. Thermometer at 5:30 A. M. 49 
degrees; at noon it had risen to 60 degrees. 

General Grant felt this morning considerably refreshed; he had 
had nine hours of rest and sleep, broken only by the necessary 
ministration of his physician. But owing to the chilly air outside 
he remained within doors; passing his time in reading and writing. 
It was noted with a good deal t>f pleasure that, although he wrote 
several pages of manuscript, he did not appear to be over-taxing 
himself. In this employment he seemed to take much pleasure. 
Between eight and nine he retired. 

Thursday, July 2. — The cold wave has passed. The air is soft 
and mild. Thermometer at 67 degrees. 

Although General Grant was disturbed at midnight by accumu- 
lations in his throat, and again at four, the night, on the whole, was 
one of comparative comfort. At nine o'clock he was still sleeping. 
It was late in the forenoon when he came from his room and re- 
sumed the literary labors of the previous day. Not far from two in 
the afternoon denizens of the mountain were pleased to see the 
General's favorite chair placed in his quiet corner, all pillowed and 
bolstered, and soon thereafter the General himself. His presence 
in his accustomed place was reassuring. But he seemed to prefer 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 31 

the quiet of his own room and soon returned to it. In the evening 
he fell asleep before Dr. Douglass was ready to give liim his usual 
bed-time treatment. He awoke, however, about ten and was then 
made ready for the night. 

Space will not allow me to quote in this little volume the almost 
numberless messages of sympathy that came to General Grant dur- 
ing these last days. I can only state here that they did come, in- 
creasing in number as the days passed. And they were not cir- 
cumscribed in the source of them by any geographical lines what- 
ever. Many, I may note here, were from the South. 

During the day General Grant wrote the pathetic letter to Dr. 
Douglass that has been so often quoted. I give here but a few 
words. The letter is printed entire, a portion of it in the General's 
own hand, in the Century Magazine for November 1SS5 : 

"I think the chances are very decidedly in favor of your being 
able to keep me alive until the change of weather, towards the 
winter. Of course there are contingencies that might arise at any 
time that would carry me off suddenly. The most probable of 
these is choking. Under the circumstances, life is not worth 
living. I am very thankful to have been spared this long, because 
it has enabled me to practically complete the work in which I 
take so much interest. I cannot stir up strength enough to 
review it and make additions and substractions that would suggest 
themselves to me, and are not likely to any one else. 

"Under the above circumstances, I will be the happiest the most 
pain I can avoid. If there is to be any extraordinary cure, such 
as some believe there is to be, it will develop itself. I would say, 
therefore, to you and your colleagues 10 make me as comfortable 
as you can. If it is within God's providence that I should go now, 
I am ready to obey His call without a murmur. I should prefer 



32 GENERAL GRANT 

going now to enduring my present suffering for a single day with- 
out iiope of recovery." 

It was about this time, perhaps a few days later, that the path- 
etic message one now sees in General Grant's room, in his own 
hand, was written : 

"Say to Mr. Drexel that I will always be pleased to see him. 
But it is not worth while for him to give himself any trouble to 
come up here expressly for that. I have such difficulty in speaking 
that I am no company." 

Friday, July 3. — At six o'clock this morning General Grant was 
writing. He had slept only from twelve to four and was nervous 
and restless. During the day he took a brief airing in his Bath 
chair, but most of the time was spent in the cottage or on the ver- 
anda. The restlessness of the night, attributed by Dr. Douglass 
to the over-exertion of the previous da-y, seemed to increase rather 
than to diminish as the day wore on. He moved about a great 
deal — now in his own room, then in the reception room and still 
again on the cottage veranda. His steps were slow and feeble. It 
was a great relief to those who watched and waited to learn that at 
nine o'clock he was sleeping. 

During the day Dr. Douglass telegraphed for Dr. Sands of New 
York. 

Saturday, July 4. — It was feared that the inquietude that 
characterized General Grant's movements of yesterday would con- 
tinue during the night ; but these fears were not realized. The 
sleep that came early in the evening was only a precursor of what 
was to follow. With only now and then a brief interval of wake- 
fulness, his sleep was continuous and refreshing through the night. 
It was during that delicious period, between the heat of the day 
and the cool, dev\y air of the morning, that General Grant came 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 33 

from his room to the cottage veranda, where he spent most of the 
forenoon. Quite likely most of the afternoon would have been 
passed there, for the day was delightful ; but a heavy storm came 
up not far from twelve, and this forced the General inside. After 
spending some time in the reception room he retired to his own 
room, where he lay for a time on his side in bed. 

I mention this lutle detail here because it had been so long 
since he had been able to rest in that manner. After so many 
months in those tiresome chairs the relief must have been great, 
I?ut the change was to be only temporary. Soon the old manner 
of resting (?) and sleeping was resumed. In the evening General 
Grant wrote : " I have been getting along very well to-day." 

Dr. Sands arrived to-day, and with Dr. Douglass made an exam- 
ination of the General's throat. The former said he noted no 
material change, except increased weakness. 

Sunday, July 5. — Although the weather to-day was delightful it 
was not until afternoon that the well-known figure of the sick Gen- 
eral was seen in its accustomed place on the veranda. The night 
had been one of comparative rest and refreshment, but it had not 
brought what it brings when health and sleep go hand in hand. 
During the hour and a half that General Grant remained in the 
open air he spent his time in reading the papers and in a " pencil 
talk " with Senator Chaffee. At three o'clock, after receiving the 
attentions of his physician, he retired for a few hours rest. At half 
past six he again went out and walked for a few minutes on the 
easte''n veranda. At eleven o'clock he was sleeping and every- 
thing indicated a comfortable night. 

As showing how the thoughts of the people, not only here, but 
abroad, were with our sick and suffering General, I take the liberty 
10 insert here the following telegram: 



34 GENERAL GRANT 

" Buckingham Palace Hotel,- London, July 4, 1885. 
H. L. Waierbury, Manager W. U. Tel. Co., Saratoga Springs, N. Y.: 

Please tell General Grant that Mr. Phelps, the American Minis- 
ter, Senator Edmonds and the Duke of Argyle, Mr John Bright 
and other mutual friends, are to dine with me this evening, and 
that we shall drink his health; and that I do most earnestly pray 
that his health may improve and that he may Hve for years a bless- 
ing to his family, his country, and the world. Give my kindest re- 
gards to Mn. Grant and all her children, and telegraph me exactly 
how General Grant is." 

CYRUS W. FIELD. 

Mr. Waterbury's reply was read at Mr. Field's dinner. 

Monday, July 6. — General Grant slept from eleven p. m. of yes- 
terday until two this morning; he was then weak and restless. 
After partaking of some nourishment, in reply to a question from 
Dr. Douglass as to how he felt, he wrote on his pad: " I think 
cjuite well, Dactor. When I got awake a half hour ago I did not 
feel in the slightest degree sleepy, and I feared my night's rest was 
over; but I was asleep in a minute or two and have felt now as if I 
could hardly keep awake long enough to take food." After this he 
again fell asleep and did not waken again until nearly seven, at 
which time he again asked for food. This was given him by his 
faithful nurse, and soon thereafter he was again asleep. During 
most of the forenoon he remained within his own room. Only a 
small portion of the day was passed in the open air, although the 
day was fine. In the afternoon he wrote a little for his book, but 
most of the time was given to rest and sleep. To. Dr. Douglass he 
wrote: " The pain left me entirely so that it was enjoyment to lie 
awake; but I got the enjoyment from the mere absence of pain." 
But soon after this note was written the pain returned and was 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 35 

constant; in consequence of which General Grant became nervous 
and restless. Between six and seven he went out upon the ve- 
randa, where he sat for a few moments bolstered up in an easy 
chair. At eight he was still restless and walking about. Half an 
hour later he retired to his own room, it was supposed for the night; 
but he rejoined his family in the reception room a few minutes 
later. At nine o'clock he finally retired. 

Up to within a short time, it seems from what he wrote to Sen- 
ator Chaffee, General Grant had "clung tenaciously to the bright 
ray of hope that possibly a cure might be effected, but as time pro- 
gressed the depressing feeling, superinduced by increasing exhaus- 
tion, led him to abandon all such thoughts. He now waited the 
end calmly. Considering his present feeble and debilitated con- 
dition, he would almost hail with pleasure the closing of life's 
chapter." 

During the evening of this day a telegram of sympathy was 
received from the Emperor of Japan. 

Tuesday, July 7. — Owing to the rain and consequent dampness. 
General Grant remained within doors during the day. Early in 
the morning he handed Dr. Douglass this note : " I can feel my 
strength increasing, and the drain upon me is diminishing." 

During the night he had asked tor and partaken of nourishment 
three times. The effect of this led him to express the fear to Dr. 
Douglass that he was now taking more than his system could 
assimilate. The Doctor acted promptly on this information and 
ordered that food be given him in reduced quantity. 

The day passed as so many others had, without any special inci- 
dent to mark its coming or going. 

Wednesday, July 8. — General Grant passed a restful night and 
awoke at about eight in a cheerful frame of mind. At three he 



36 GENERAL GRANT 

had been awake for a short time, and after receiving the usual 
medical treatment from Dr. Douglass, had engaged for a time in a 
"pencil talk" with him. But aside from this brief interval of wake- 
fulness his rest had been comparatively unbroken. Nut far from 
nine he whs dressed, and soon thereafter came from his room. The 
weather was delightful. Tempted by the balmy air the General 
soon sought his accustomed seat on the cottage veranda. Many 
now living remember the stooping figure as it moved slowly, not 
only on this day, but on many other days, from the reception- 
room to the pillowed and bolstered chair at the north-east corner 
of the collage. But his stay here was of short duration ; he soon 
returned to the quiet of his own room. 

The time spent in the open air this afternoon wa? mostly given 
to writing. A lap-board lay across the arms of his chair and on 
this the General wrote ; occasionally bestowing a nod of recogni- 
tion of the respectful salutes of those who were constantly passing 
and repassing. 

Among the more noteworthy events of the day was the visit of a 
party of Mexican journalists, numbering twenty-six, who had 
come to the mountain to pay their respects to General Grant. They 
were presented to the General by his son. Colonel F. D. Grant, and 
through one of their nirmber made a brief and feeling address. To 
this General Grant wrote a cordial reply. 

It would give me pleasure could I insert in this little volume, 
verbatim, all the addresses and messages to which General Grant 
listened, or of which he was the recipient during these last days of 
his life ; and it would give me equal pleasure to write beside them 
all he said in reply. But visits of delegations to the mountain 
were of almost daily occurrence, and messages came, floods of 
them, by post and by wire. I can only mention these facts, leav- 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 37 

iiig the reader lo other sources of information for details. One 
could not fitly portray General Grant's daily life here and do less. 

During the evening of this day General Grant suffered a good 
deal of pain, brought on quite largely, it was thought, by the ex- 
citement incident to the visit of this large delegation. 

At ten o'clock he retired. 

Thursdaj', Julv 9 — General Grant did not sleep until eleven 
o'clock and was awake again at three this morniny', at which time, 
after having his throat cleared by the Doctor, he partook of some 
nourishment. At six he was again awake and again received the 
attention of his i)hysician. The day passed in the usual manner. 
I )\viiig to a recurrence of the pain in his throat he retired early. 
He had slept but little during the day. 

An incident occurred during the day that vividly recalls to my 
mind, as I write, those early ilays of the war. It will be remem- 
bered that when the general in command at Fort Donelson sent 
from behind his iiitrenchments to know what terms General Grant 
would allow him in case of his giving up the fort, he received back 
the not very comforting words, " Unconditional and immediate 
surrender. * " * I propose to move immediately upon your 
works." It was General S. B. Buckner to whom this message was 
sent, and it was the same General Buckner .\ho to-day telegraphed 
from Saratoga to know if he could see General Grant. It was 
found necessar" to s; nd a negative reply. His father would be 
pleased to see him, so Colonel F. D. Grant telegraphed, but he was 
too weak to-day to see any one. 

It will be recalled that soon after the disastrous bank failure that 
stripped General Grant of every dollar of his earthly possessions, 
Mr. Charles Wood, of Lansingburgh, wrote him offering a loan of 
$1,000 on the General's note for a year, without interest. In this 



38 GENERAL GRANT 

same letter he enclosed a check for $500, "on account," so Mr. 
Wood wrote, " of my share for services ending April, 1865." 

Among the callers on General Grant during the earlier portion of 
the day was this kind-hearted, big-hearted Mr. Wood. To him 
General Grant wrote on his pad; " I am glad to say that while 
there is much unblushing wickedness in the world, yet there is a 
compensating goodness of soul." Fitting words to one whose 
practical generosity had demonstrated their truth ! 

It should be noted here that this note of $1,000 was paid from 
the first proceeds of General Grant's literary labors. 

Friday, July 10. Although General Grant slept fairly well dur- 
ing the night he remained in his own room till nearly noon, not be- 
ing dressed for the day until that hour. During the afternoon Gen- 
eral Buckner called. He and General Grant had been classmates 
at West Point; but being on opposite sides during the war, had not 
met since the surrender of Fort Donelson. This meeting seemed 
to be a pleasant one for both, as they conversed together for a long 
time; General Grant, of course, using his pad. 

Saturday, July 11. — It was one o'clock this morning before Gen- 
eral Grant fell asleep and he was awake again at eight. Notwith- 
standing the rather poor night he had had he wrote on his pad; "I 
woke up feeling perfectly fresh and as if I had had a good night's 
natural sleep." But it was nearly noon before he was dressed; and 
he remained within doors during the afternoon, passing his time 
in comparative ease and quiet until toward evening, when his rest 
was broken by unusual pain in his throat and by coughing. He 
was prepared for rest early in the evening and at eleven was sleep- 
ing. 

During the day Dr. Douglass telegraphed Dr. Shrady to come to 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 39 

the mountain and relieve him, as he was worn out by constant at- 
tendance upon the General. 

Sunday. July 12.— It has been a superb day and the mountain 
has been thronged with visitors. Silently, with uncovered heads, 
they have almost continuously filed past the cottage where the na- 
tion's hero is quietly and calmly waiting the end that seems now 
but a few days off. It was a mutter of congratulation with these 
visitors, nearly all of whom had come to the mountain with the 
thought only of seeing the General, that he was able to remain for 
a considerable portion of the day in his favorite corner on the ve- 
randa. A slight wave of the hand or a nod of recognition was all 
the return his condition would allow him to make to the respectful 
salutations of the passing throng. 

During the day General Grant was called upon by Governor Hill, 
Hon. J. W. Drexel and Senator Arkell. He received them in his 
own room. Speaking (writing) of his sitting as he did, in an easy 
chair, his feet in another, he told Governor Hill that he was quite 
feeble and had not yet recovered from the fatigue of Wednesday 
(the visit of the delegation of Mexican journalists) but that he was 
not so weak as he looked to be. 

At eight o'clock he retired. 

Monday, July 13. — General Grant was able again this morning 
to use his voice, but feebly. The night had been restful, and all 
things considered there had been no apparent change for the worse; 
alas! one must add, nor for the better. This last was evidenced by 
the fact that, although the day was fine, and many hundred people 
were on the grounds, each anxious forasmuch as even a moment's 
glimpse of the General, he remained during the entire day within 
doors, spending the time in reading and writing. At 4:25 Dr. 
Shrady arrived. He will relieve Dr. Douglass for a few days. 



40 GENERAL GRANT 

Tuesday, July 14. — Nothing of any special interest occurred dur- 
ing the day. Barring the increased feebleness, that each day now 
seemed more and more apparent. General Grant's condition re- 
mains the same as on the past few days. It was afternoon before 
he was dressed, and most of the time until he was prepared again 
for the night was spent in sleep. He retired not far from nine 
o'clock. 

Wednesday, July 15. — Although Dr. Shrady was called three 
times during the night to treat the General's throat, the rest of the 
latter was comparatively good. During the forenoon he remained 
within his own room, sleeping a good portion of the time. In the 
afternoon he spent a few moments on the cottage veranda. 

To-day the two physicians made a careful examination of the 
General's throat ; "which, on the whole," so the report came, 
"might be said to show favorable conditions." 

I must mention here, for the fact is worthy of notice, the receipt 
by General Grant of a telegram from the Dean County (Missis- 
sippi) Democratic Convention, transmitting a resolution passed by 
that body. This resolution was as follows : "Resolved : That we 
join in the Nation's grief for the sad affliction which has befallen 
General U. S. Grant, America's most illustrious citizen, who was 
as magnanimous in peace as he was great in war." 

Thursday, July 16. — General Grant's condition remains substan- 
tially the same to day as yesterday. And this statement will do 
as well for the following day, Friday, the 17th. Nothing of 
special moment occurred on either. The mountain was thronged 
with visitors, as usual, and there were letters and messages from 
societies and individuals expressing sympathy and hope for the 
General's recovery, in the usual abundance ; but aside from all 
this these two days were uneventful. 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 4I 

Saturday, July iS. — It was but little past six o'clock when Gen- 
eral Grant came from his room this morning dressed for the day. 
He immediately sought the veranda. He had passed a restless 
night, having slept but little after eleven P. M. Dr. Shrady had 
been frequently called. When the General came from the cottage 
his face showed too plainly what the night had been ; the expres- 
sion of it was as of one worn by care and fatigue. 

Most of the day the General remained in his own room. He 
seemed unusually weak and spiritless. The desire for occupation 
which had characterized the previous days of his illness seemed to 
have gone. 

There were anxious hearts at the cottage and at the hotel as 
evening drew on. Was the coming night to be as the last? Then 
surely the end was near ! 

Sunday, July 19. — Happily the fears of last evening were not 
realized. General Grant passed a comfortable night and seemed 
more cheerful this morning The day passed quietly. There was 
the usual throng of visitors to the mountain, the usual daily rou- 
tine ai the cottage — for it had come to that, the same tiresome 
round— but nothing of special interest. Toward evening General 
Grant complained of unusual fatigue ; it was not yet dark when 
he retired. 

Monday, July 20. — It was after eleven o'clock this forenoon when 
General Grant came from his room. He had passed a compara- 
tively comfortable night, having had in all about seven hours 
sleep. While he showed no inclination to attempt work of any 
kind, he seemed cheerful. During the afternoon, upon an intima- 
tion from him that he was tired of the monottmy of life in the cot- 
tage, he was taken out in his Bath chair. The place selected for 
this day's visit was the Eastern Outlook ; a point a few rods south 



42 GENERAL GRANT 

of the railroad depot, where the side of the mountain is more pre- 
cipitous, and where one sees the valley more in detail than from 
its summit The General and the party accompanying him re- 
mained here twenty minutes or more and then set out on their 
return. On the way back, some obstruction being in the path. 
General Grant got out of his chair and walked, slowly and feebly, 
but unaided, around it. But this exertion, added to the fatigue 
necessarily incident to the trip, proved too much for the General's 
declining strength. 

Looking back on this little incident now, and on the events that 
rapidly followed, one sees here the beginning of the end. 

General Grant never rallied from the the fatigue of this, his last, 
outing. When he passed up the steps of the cottage veranda, lean- 
ing heavily on the arm of his attendant, and entered the door, with 
the exception of a few brief moments during the evening that fol- 
lowed, he had looked for the last time upon scenes his five weeks 
sojourn here had made familiar. From this time on events moved 
in rapid procession to the end. 

Tuesday, July 2i. — Independently of details that from lime to 
time came to the ears of those outside the family and were eagerly 
discussed, the disturbed and anxious look on the faces of all about 
the cottage told plainly enough that it was not well with the suffer- 
ing General. Evidently the end was approaching, and that rapidly. 
General Grant did not leave his room at all during the day. At 
one time in the forenoon the pain in his throat was so severe that 
he begged of Dr. Douglass something to allay it Morphine was 
administered and after that the General slept for an hour. When 
he awoke food was offered him but he partook of a small portion 
only. During the afternoon he reclined wearily in his chair, seem- 
ing to take but little interest in what vvas passing. Toward even- 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 43 

ing food was again offered him, but owing to the failure of the nnus- 
cles of his throat to act he could take but little. As evening drew 
on he became restless and was moved about in his room from place 
to place and finally to the reception room. At eight-thirty he was 
reported as unconscious and sinking rapidly. Dr Douglass gave 
out the opinion this evening that General Grant could not live more 
than twenty-four hours longer. 

Wednesday, July 22. — At one o'clock this morning Dr. Douglass 
telegraphed for all the absent members of General Grant's family 
and also summoned the other physicians to the mountain. At two 
o'clock all the family had retired except Dr. Douglass and Colonel 
Grant. These two watched as the remaining hours of the night 
slowly passed. What of the morning? In distant cities and ham- 
lets, in the homes of the lowly and of the great, this question was 
on the lips, or in the hearts of all. What would the morning bring? 

The soft warm rays of the summer sun, as they stole into the 
room where the suffering chieftan sat, brought neither hopes nor en- 
couragement. He was slowly but surely growing weaker; only by 
the use of stimulants was the fatal end postponed. As the day 
wore on he sat with his eyes closed and his head bowed wearily 
forward apparently taking little or no notice of what was passing. 
He spoke occasionally, but in a feeble voice. Once in the earlier 
portion of the day he attempted to write on his pad, but only got 
down the date Subsequently he did write a few words as I shall 
presently relate. 

Drs. Shrady and Sands reached the mountain at three forty and. 
immediately thereafter held a consultation with Dr. Douglass. At 
six o'clock another consultation was held. But nothing favorable 
resulted. At this time hypodermic injections of brandy were given 
every thirty minutes, Not far from seven the General appeared to 



44 GENERAL GRANT 

be growing rapidly worse and it was feared that the end was at 
hand. But he rallied slightly thereafter; at seven-thirty the report 
was somewhat reassuring for it was only that he was "very weak." 
At eight o'clock the cottage was closed for the night. 

From Mr. McQueeny I have an account of some of the ineideiUs 
of that last day. " He was so weak," the faithful nurse said to me, 
" that he could not sit without support, and so I held him up in his 
chair. It was warm and the air was sultry; that is the reason why 
he was moved from his own room in here (the reception mom). 
Some one fanned him constantly. When the clock struck twelve he 
noticed that it was wrong — it was only eleven — and he wrote on his 
pad: ' Fred, hadn't you better take that clock down and wind it up 
and start it as it should go ? ' " 

That General Grant was conscious during this last day, or a por- 
tion of it, although taking but little notice of what was going on 
about him, is evident from another little incident that occurred not 
long after the one just recited. The family were all about him at 
the time and one would think from his appearance that he had lit- 
tle or no knowledge of their presence; but suddenly he opened his 
eyes and then came the words, so feebly spoken as scarcely to be 
understood: " I hope no one will be distressed at my condition." 

It is related by Mr. McQueeny that later in the evening some 
one asked General Grant if he did not wish to lie down, and that, 
through inability to speak, or from weakness, he gave an affirma- 
tive sign by an inclination of his body forward. The bed was 
then prepared and the dying Commander of mighty armies was 
tenderly lifted from the chairs in which so many wearisome hours 
had been spent, and placed upon it. The bed stands now as it 
stood then, and it requires no very great effort of the imagination 



AT MOUNT MAC GREGOR 45 

to picture that evening scene — the d\'ing nnan, the anxious, sorrow- 
ful group about the bed. 

Thursday, July 23. — But little remains to be told. A few words 
more and my sad and painful story is done. Let me say them and 
so lay down my pen. 

General Grant died at eight minutes past eight this morning. 

And so the reaper had come at last. One may be pardoned for 
thinking, perhaps, in view of all the past, and of the possibilities 
of the future, that the sheaf he gathered was not yet fully ripened ; 
but God knew best. 



After his death, General Grant's remains lay in state at the cot- 
tage until August 4th ; then, amid funeral pomp seldom witnessed, 
they were conveyed to their resting place. 

The final burial services were held at Riverside Park on the 8th 
day of August. 



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